"Oh—ah! Well, what is that to me?" grunted M. Bouffard, gradually regaining his assurance.
The marquis, without paying the slightest attention to M. Bouffard, and addressing Herminie, who was becoming more and more astonished, asked, deferentially:
"Will mademoiselle do me the favour to grant me the interview I ask?"
"But, monsieur," replied the girl, much embarrassed, "I do not know—I am not sure—"
"I must take the liberty of remarking that, as it is absolutely necessary that our conversation should be strictly confidential, it is indispensable that this—this gentleman should leave us, unless there may still be something you wish to say to him. In that case, I will retire."
"I have nothing further to say to monsieur," answered Herminie, pleased at the idea of escaping from her present painful position, even for a few moments.
"Mademoiselle has nothing more to say to you, monsieur," said the marquis to M. Bouffard, with a meaning gesture.
But the ex-grocer, who was now himself again, and who was consequently furious at the thought that he had allowed himself to be awed by the hunchback, exclaimed:
"So you fancy a man can be turned out of his own house without paying him his just dues, monsieur, and all because you support this—"
"Enough, monsieur, enough!" cried the marquis, hastily interrupting Bouffard.